Storage structure for vehicle cabin interior

ABSTRACT

A storage structure is configured that can be assembled more easily. The storage structure is provided with a lid capable of being opened and closed. The lid is configured to swing about a swing axis from an opened state to a closed state. The lid has a center of gravity located on a far portion of the lid relative to the swing axis such that swinging movement of the lid to the opened state occurs due to a weight distribution of the lid itself relative to the swing axis. Thus, the lid swings from the closed state to the opened state with the center of gravity of the lid having being vertically disposed below the swing axis when the lid is in the closed state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos.2006-053180, filed on Feb. 28, 2006 and 2006-293012, filed on Oct. 27,2006. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos.2006-053180 and 2006-293012 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a storage case. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a storage structureconfigured to be arranged in an interior of a vehicle cabin, with thestorage structure having a lid that can be opened and closed.

2. Background Information

Storage cases used to store small objects or to serve as cup holders areoften provided inside the cabins (passenger compartments) of vehicles.Some such storage cases are provided with a lid (cover) that can beopened and closed. Among the lidded storage cases, some are configuredwith a lid that move independently to a fully opened state after onlybeing slightly opened, while others are configured such that afterpushing down on the lid, the lid then automatically moves to the openedstate (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-224114).

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved storagestructure. This invention addresses this need in the art as well asother needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These kinds of storage case lids that were just described use a springto apply a force against the lid in an opening direction during openingand closing of the lid. Theses springs are typically configured to loadthe lid across the entire range of motion from the closed state to theopened state. Thus, the spring of these lids has a strong spring force,which tends to make it difficult to assemble theses types of lids to thestorage cases.

One object of the present invention is to provide a storage structurethat can be assembled more easily.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a storagestructure is provided that basically comprises a lid support, and a lid.The lid is coupled to the lid support to selectively move between afully opened state and a fully closed state about a swing axis. The lidincludes a first portion disposed on a first side of the swing axis whenthe lid is in the fully closed state relative to the lid support and asecond portion disposed on a second side of the swing axis when in thelid is in the fully closed state relative to the lid support. The lidhas a center of gravity located on the first portion of the lid suchthat swinging movement of the lid to the fully opened state occurs dueto a weight distribution of the lid itself relative to the swing axis.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a vehicle cabin interiorstorage structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention with the lid thereof in a closed state;

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a vehicle cabin interiorstorage structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention with the lid thereof in an opened state;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle cabin interiorstorage structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention with the lid thereof in an opened state;

FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross sectional view of a vehicle cabininterior storage structure in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe present invention with the lid in a closed state;

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical cross sectional view of a vehicle cabininterior storage structure in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe present invention with lid at the position corresponding to thelimit of the force applying device's ability to apply a force to the lidin an opening direction;

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical cross sectional view of a vehicle cabininterior storage structure in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe present invention showing the lid in a state in which it is touchingagainst a buffer member and a state in which it is touching against astopper (fully opened);

FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged perspective view of a vehicle cabininterior storage structure in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe present invention showing the portion where the force applyingdevice is provided;

FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged perspective view of a vehicle cabininterior storage structure in accordance with the first embodimentshowing an opening provided in the casing unit and a blocking pieceprovided on an arm of the vehicle cabin interior storage structure;

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged perspective view of a vehicle cabininterior storage structure in accordance with a second embodimentshowing an opening provided in the casing unit and a blocking pieceprovided on an arm of the vehicle cabin interior storage structure; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a vehicle cabin interiorstorage structure in accordance with the second embodiment from the sameperspective as the view shown FIG. 7 (from the side and underneath).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the following descriptions of theembodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration onlyand not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vehicle cabin interior storagestructure in the form of a storage case is illustrated in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention. A vehicle cabininterior storage case in accordance with this embodiment is configuredto be arranged on a lower portion of a center console inside the cabinof a vehicle (in front of a floor shift lever). The storage case is alsoconfigured such that it can be used as a cup holder. FIG. 1 is anexternal perspective view of a vehicle cabin interior storage case inaccordance with this embodiment while the lid is in a fully closedstate. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the vehicle cabininterior storage case with the lid in a fully opened state. FIG. 3 is anexploded perspective view of the vehicle cabin interior storage casewith the lid 1 in the fully opened state. FIG. 4 is a vertical crosssectional view of the vehicle cabin interior storage case with the lid 1in the fully closed state.

The lid 1 has a pair of arms 2L and 2R located at opposite ends. The lid1 wit with the arms 2L and is preferably a one-piece unitary memberconstructed from a rigid material with a limited degree of flexibilitysuch as a rigid plastic material. The lid 1 is pivotally or swingablemounted to a lid support or casing unit 3 that is secured to theinterior of the vehicle cabin in a conventional manner. Thus, the lid iscoupled to the lid support or casing unit 3 to selectively move betweenan opened state and a closed state about a swing axis O (FIG. 4).

Although only one arm 2R is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, another arm 2L isprovided on the far side from the perspective of FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 isa partial vertical cross sectional view of the vehicle cabin interiorstorage case with the lid 1 at the position corresponding to the limitof the force applying device's ability to apply a force to the lid 1 inan opening direction. FIG. 6 is a partial vertical cross sectional viewof the vehicle cabin interior storage case showing the lid 1 in a statein which it is touching against a buffer member and a state in which itis touching against a stopper (fully opened). FIG. 7 is a partialenlarged perspective view of the portion of the vehicle cabin interiorstorage case where the force applying device is provided. FIG. 8 is apartial enlarged perspective view of an opening provided in a casingunit and a blocking piece provided on an arm of the vehicle cabininterior storage case.

The arm 2R is provided with a locking claw 2 a and a blocking piece 2 b.The other arm 2L is provided with neither the locking claw 2 a nor theblocking piece 2 b. Furthermore, the other arm 2L is not provided withan arm portion corresponding to the arm portion of the arm 2R thatextends to the lock claw 2 a. As shown in FIG. 7, a spring 5 is providedon the side of the lid 1 where the arm 2L is located. The spring 5serves as a force applying device applying a force against the lid 1 inan opening direction (i.e., in such a direction that the force acts tomove the lid 1 toward an opened state). As shown in FIG. 1, a spring isnot provided on the side of the lid 1 where the arm 2R is located. Thearms 2L and 2R are mounted to the casing unit 3 in such a manner thatthe lid 1 can swing about the swing axis O (FIG. 4). A portion of thearm 2R is exposed inside the casing unit 3 even when the lid 1 is opendue to design layout factors.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lid 1 can be basically divided into a first lidportion T disposed on a first or far side of the swing axis O when thelid 1 is in the closed state relative to the lid support, and a secondlid portion disposed on a second or near side of the swing axis O whenin the lid 1 is in the closed state relative to the lid support. The lid1 has a center of gravity G located on the first portion T of the lid 1such that swinging movement of the lid 1 to the opened state occurs dueto a weight distribution of the lid 1 itself relative to the swing axisO. Thus, the center of gravity G (including the arms 2L and 2R of thelid 1) of the lid 1 is positioned higher than the swing axis O and onthe far side of (i.e., in direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4 withrespect to) the swing axis O when the lid 1 is closed. “The far side ofthe swing axis O” refers to the opposite side of the casing unit 3 fromwhich the passenger operates the lid 1, with respect to the swing axisO. Thus, “the near side of the swing axis O” refers to the side of thecasing unit 3 from which the passenger operates the lid 1, with respectto the swing axis O. As shown in FIG. 4, the thickness of the lid 1 isthicker in the first lid portion T near the center of gravity G, whichis located on the far side of the swing axis O when the lid is closed,than in other regions (i.e., the second lid portion). Also, as shown inFIG. 1, the first lid portion T of the lid 1 includes a plurality ofinternal ribs 1 a. The internal ribs 1 a serve as reinforcing members.The internal ribs la are provided inside the lid 1 (i.e., on the backside of an upper shell) in a region centering on the first lid portionT. The distribution of the thickness of the lid 1 and the placement ofthe ribs 1 a contributes to establishing the center of gravity G at aposition located higher than and on the far side of the swing axis O. Inother words, the center of gravity G of the lid 1 is positioned on a farside of the swing axis O when the lid 1 is in the fully closed state. Asa result, a rotational moment can be exerted against the lid 1 in theopening direction due to the weight of the lid 1 itself. Therefore, theelastic force of the force applying device used to apply a swinging(pivotal) force in the opening direction can be weakened or the forceapplying device can be eliminated altogether. As a result, a vehiclecabin interior storage structure that is easier to assemble can beobtained.

Additionally, the first lid portion T in which the thickness of the lid1 is larger and the internal ribs 1 a are provided corresponds to theregion between the portions where the two arms 2L and 2R connected.Since this embodiment is configured such that the lid 1 is supported atboth ends by the two arms 2L and 2R, reinforcing the first lid portion Talso helps improve the strength and rigidity of the lid 1.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the casing unit 3 has a recessed storagesection 3 a that is formed below the lid 1 when the lid 1 is closed. Therecessed storage section defines an access opening that is covered bythe lid 1. An inner holder 4 is held in the recessed storage section 3a. The inner holder 4 has a thin-walled structure and is generallyshaped like a cylinder. The inner holder 4 has a shape well suited foruse as a cup holder for holding drink cans and bottles, but it can alsobe used to hold small articles.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rubber protrusion 3 b is attached to the casingunit 3 at a position where a tip end portion of the lid 1 meets the case3. The rubber protrusion 3 b elastically deforms when the lid 1 isclosed and serves to prevent the lid 1 from being loose (rattling) whenit is in a closed (locked) state.

The casing unit 3 includes a plurality (four).of fastening parts 3 c forfastening the casing unit 3 to the vehicle interior. The fastening parts3 c are formed on the outside surface of the casing unit 3. As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, a locking striker 3 d is formed on the casing unit 3 toengage with the locking claw 2 a of the arm 2R when the lid 1 is fullyclosed. Preferably, the locking striker 3 d is provided on a lower sideportion of the casing unit 3 in a position more toward the close side ofthe casing unit 3 than the far side. The locking claw 2 a and thelocking striker 3 are shown in the engaged state in FIG. 1. The lockedstate is achieved when the locking claw 2 a is pushed inward toward thelocking striker 3 d, and the locked state is released by pushing thelocking claw 2 a inward toward the locking striker 3 d again. Thus, thelid 1 and the casing unit 3 has mating locking arrangements that areconfigured and arranged to hold the lid 1 in the fully closed state. Inparticular, the locking claw 2 a and the locking striker 3 form themating locking arrangements with the locking striker 3 d functioning asa locking member to hold the lid 1 in the fully closed state.

The lid 1 is spring loaded in an opening direction by the spring 5,which serves as a force applying device. As shown in FIG. 7, the spring5 is wound around a support shaft 2 d of the arm 2L. One end portion 5 athereof is wound around a generally cylindrical protrusion 3 g providedon a side wall of the casing unit 3 and the other end portion 5 b isinserted into an engaging hole 2 e provided in the arm 2L. Thus, the endportion 5 a secured to the generally cylindrical protrusion 3 g providedon a side wall of the casing unit 3 and the other end portion 5 b issecured to the arm 2L.

The spring 5 is installed such that it spring loads the lid 1 in anopening direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) with respect to thecasing unit 3. In this embodiment, the spring force of the spring 5 actson the lid 1 in an opening direction (direction indicated by thearc-shaped arrow in FIG. 5) when the lid 1 is in any position rangingfrom the fully closed position P1 (FIG. 4) to a prescribed position P2(position where spring 5 enters a free, unloaded state as seen in FIG.5). The prescribed position P2 is reached prior to the fully openposition P4 when the lid 1 swings toward the fully open position P4.When the lid 1 is in any position beyond (i.e., more open than) theposition P2, the spring 5 applies a spring-load force against the lid 1in a closing direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 5, i.e., theopposite direction as the arc-shaped arrow).

As shown in FIG. 6, the casing unit 3 includes a lid storage section 3 hhaving a vertical wall 3 i. A stopper 6 made of a rubber or otherelastic material is provided on the vertical wall 3 i to support the lid1 when the lid is in the fully opened position P4. A foamed body 7serving as a buffer member is also provided on the vertical wall 3 i.The foamed body 7 is arranged to contact the lid 1 at a position P3 thatis reached before the lid 1 reaches the fully opened position P4 whenthe lid 1 is opened and configured to dampen the movement of the lid 1as the lid 1 swings toward the fully opened position P4. The foamed body7 can be, for example, a rectangular sponge made of a urethane materialthat compresses when the lid 1 is in the fully opened position andexpands back to its original shape when in the fully closed position. Inthis embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the foamed body 7 is affixedto the casing unit 3 with an adhesive or the like in such a positionthat foamed body 7 is hidden by the inner holder 4.

As shown in FIG. 8, the casing unit 3 is provided with an arm receivingopening 3 f for avoiding contact with the arm 2R when the lid 1 isopened and closed. The recessed storage section that defines the accessopening and an arm receiving opening formed in the recessed storagesection. The arm 2R is swingably supported to the lid support or casingunit 3 with the arm 2R being configured and arranged to extend into therecessed storage section through the arm receiving opening 3 f of thelid support or casing unit 3. The receiving opening 3 f is provided inthe casing unit 3 in the vicinity of the arm 2R. The portion indicatedas X in FIGS. 3 and 8 passes through the receiving opening 3 f when thelid 1 is opened and closed. Each of the two arms 2L and 2R isperpendicular to the swing axis O of the lid 1 but the side wall of thecasing unit 3 are curved. Thus, without the receiving opening 3 f, thearm 2R would hit the side wall of the casing unit 3 and it would not bepossible to open and close the lid 1. Providing the receiving opening 3f enables the lid 1 to be opened and closed smoothly withoutinterference from the casing unit 3.

However, the appearance of the interior of the casing unit 3 would seemodd if the receiving opening 3 f were the only hole visible when the lid1 was opened and, furthermore, the appearance would be degraded if theback side of the casing unit 3 were visible through the arm receivingopening 3 f. Furthermore, small articles might fall through the opening3 f into the back side of the casing unit 3 and dust and dirt mightenter into the region on the back side of the casing unit 3. In thisembodiment, the arm 2R has a blocking piece 2 b, as shown in FIG. 1, andthe blocking piece 2 b blocks the opening 3 f when the lid 1 is in thefully opened position (P4, FIG. 6), as shown in FIG. 8. In other words,the blocking piece 2 b is configured and arranged to cover a portion ofthe arm receiving opening 3 f that is exposed through the access openingwhen the lid 1 is in the fully opened position. The blocking piece 2 bis made to be thinner than the overall thickness of the arm 2R and itdoes not touch the casing unit 3 when the lid 1 opened and closed.

The operation of opening the lid 1 of the vehicle cabin interior storagecase will now be explained. When the case is in the closed state shownin FIG. 1 and 4, the lid I is opened by pressing the tip end portion ofthe lid 1 downward. The rubber protrusion 3 b (FIG. 2) is squasheddownward and the locking claw 2 a is pressed inward toward the lockingstriker 3 d, thus causing the locked state to be released. Once thelocked state is released, the lid 1 begins to swing open due to arotational moment generated in the opening direction against the lid 1due to the spring force of the spring 5 in the opening direction and theweight of the lid 1. At the same time, the elastic recovery force of therubber protrusion 3 b also assists in moving the lid 1 in the recoverydirection.

Although the spring force of the spring 5 stops acting against the lid 1in the opening direction at the position P2 (position corresponding tothe limit of the spring force in the opening direction), the weight ofthe lid 1 itself causes the lid 1 to continue the swing movement inopposition to a spring force of the spring 5 acting in the closingdirection until the lid 1 reaches the fully open position P4 shown inFIG. 6.

When the lid 1 reaches the position P3 indicated with a solid-linesketch in FIG. 6, the swing speed thereof is reduced due to the dampingaction of the foamed body 7. The fully opened position P4 indicated witha double-dot chain line sketch in FIG. 6 is determined by contact withthe stopper 6. When the lid 1 is in the fully opened position P4, it ispressing against the foamed body 7 such that the foamed body 7 is in asquashed state.

In the fully opened state P4 shown in FIG. 6, the center of gravity G ofthe lid 1 is positioned lower than the swing axis O. Consequently, theforce of gravity holds the lid 1 in the fully opened state more stably.

When the lid 1 is to be closed, the tip end of the lid 1 is lowered inthe closing direction until the tip end of the lid 1 presses against therubber protrusion 3 b. The locking claw 2 a thus engages with thelocking striker and the lid 1 is locked in the closed state. The rubberprotrusion 3 b remains in a somewhat squashed state, thus preventinglooseness (e.g., rattling) of the lid 1 while it is in the closed state.

As described previously, the casing unit 3 has the receiving opening 3 fthat serves to prevent contact with the arm 2R when the arm 2R swingsand the arm 2R had a blocking piece 2 b that serves to block the opening3 f when the lid 1 is fully opened. Thus, the opening and closingmovement of the lid 1 is not inhibited and the aesthetic appearance ofthe casing unit 3 is not degraded due to exposure of the receivingopening 3 f when the lid 1 is fully opened.

With this embodiment, since the center of gravity G of the lid 1 ispositioned on the far side of the swing axis O when the lid 1 is closed,a rotational moment acting in the opening direction can be exertedagainst the lid 1 due to the weight of the lid 1 itself. Consequently,the force applying device used to apply a swinging force against the lid1 in the opening direction can be reduced in size or eliminatedaltogether. As a result, the vehicle cabin interior storage case that iseasier to assemble can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the center of gravity G of the lid 1 is positionedhigher than the swing axis O when the lid 1 is closed. Consequently, therange of motion through which the lid 1 (i.e., the center of gravity Gthereof) moves due to its own weight from the fully closed position P1to the fully open position P4 can be increased. As a result, the forceapplying device used to apply a swinging force against the lid 1 in theopening direction can be reduced in size or eliminated altogether.

In this embodiment, the ribs 1 a serving as a reinforcing structure areprovided inside the lid 1 in the first lid portion T located on the farside of the swing axis O when the lid 1 is closed. Consequently, therigidity and strength of the lid 1 can be increased and the rotationalmoment acting against the lid 1 in the opening direction due the weightof the lid 1 itself can be increased because the ribs 1 a increase themass of the lid 1. The increased rotational moment makes it even morefeasible to reduce the size of the force applying device used to apply aswinging force against the lid 1 in the opening direction or eliminatethe force applying device altogether. By using ribs 1 a as thereinforcing structure, the mass (weight) and the position of the centerof gravity G can be adjusted easily and accurately by varying thespacing (pitch), thickness, number, etc., of the ribs 1 a.

In this embodiment, by providing the ribs 1 a inside the first lidportion T of the lid 1, the position of the center of gravity G can beadjusted and the rigidity can be improved in an effective manner whilesuppressing the resulting increase in weight in comparison with a casein which ribs are provided throughout the entirety of the lid 1.

In this embodiment, the thickness of the lid 1 is thicker in a first lidportion T near the center of gravity G, which is located on the far sideof the swing axis O when the lid is closed, than in other regions. As aresult, the rotational moment acting in the opening direction due to theweight of the lid 1 itself can be increased, making it even morefeasible to reduce the size of the force applying device used to apply aswinging force against the lid 1 in the opening direction or eliminatethe force applying device altogether. Additionally, by making thethickness of the lid 1 thicker in the first lid portion T, it becomeseasier to arrange the ribs 1 a constituting the reinforcing structureinside the lid 1 and, thus, to contribute to increasing the rotationalmoment in the opening direction.

This embodiment is provided with the stopper 6 and the foamed body 7.The stopper 6 is made of an elastic material and serves to support thelid 1 when the lid 1 is in the fully opened position P4. The foamed body7 serves as a buffer member and is arranged to contact the lid 1 at aposition P3 that is reached before the fully opened position P4 isreached when the lid 1 is opened. The foamed body 7 is configured todamp the movement of the lid 1 as the lid swings toward the fully openedposition P4. Thus, the impact made by the lid 1 against the stopper 6when the lid 1 is opened can be softened and the generation of a noisedue to the striking of the lid 1 against the stopper 6 can besuppressed. Additionally, the structure is much simpler than thestructure of a damper mechanism that employs air pressure or hydraulicpressure. As a result, both the size and the manufacturing cost of thevehicle cabin interior storage case can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the spring 5 is provided as a force applying devicethat applies a force against the lid 1 in the opening direction. As aresult, the lid 1 can be opened more reliably when the vehicle cabininterior storage case is tilted (e.g., due to the vehicle being on aslope) such that the rotational moment resulting from the weight of thelid 1 is smaller than when the storage case is not tilted.

In this embodiment, the spring force of the spring 5 acts on the lid 1in an opening direction when the lid 1 is in any position ranging fromthe fully closed position P1 to a prescribed position P2 that is reachedprior to the fully open position P4 when the lid 1 swings toward thefully open position P4. As a result, the spring 5 can be made smallerthan in a case where it applies a spring force in the opening directionthrough the entire range of motion from the fully closed position P1 tothe fully opened position P4. Additionally, by weakening the forceacting on the lid 1 at the fully opened position P4, the sound of thelid 1 striking against the stopper 6 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the casing unit 3 has the receiving opening 3 f forpreventing contact with the arm 2R when the arm 2R swings and the arm 2Rhas a blocking piece 2 b configured and arranged to block the receivingopening 3 f when the lid 1 is fully opened. As a result, the openingmovement of the lid 1 is not inhibited and the receiving opening 3 f isprevented from being exposed in the casing unit 3 when the lid 1 isfully opened, thus preserving the aesthetic appearance of the casingunit 3.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a vehicle cabin interior storagestructure in the form of a storage case is illustrated in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention. In view of thesimilarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of thesecond embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the secondembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing a protrusion 2 cprovided on the arm 2R of the vehicle cabin interior storage case and atongue piece 3 e provided on the casing unit. FIG. 10 is an enlargedperspective view showing vehicle cabin interior storage case from thesame perspective as the view shown FIG. 7 (from the side andunderneath).

The vehicle cabin interior storage case in accordance with thisembodiment has the vertically oriented tongue piece 3 e provided abovethe locking striker 3 d of the casing unit 3A, as shown in FIG. 9.Otherwise, the constituent features are the same as those of the firstembodiment. The casing unit 3A is made of a synthetic resin and thetongue piece 3 e possesses a flexible quality. The tongue piece 3 e isarranged and configured such that a protrusion 2 c provided on the arm2R contacts the tongue piece 3 e and elastically flex the tongue piece 3e when the lid 1 is being opened. In particular, during the movement ofthe lid 1 to the opened state, the protrusion 2 c contacts the tonguepiece 3 e prior to reaching the fully opened position. This contactbetween the protrusion 2 c and the tongue piece 3 e causes the tonguepiece 3 e to flex. Thus, the protrusion 2 c then rides over the tip ofthe tongue piece 3 e and enters the state shown in FIG. 9. In the stateshown in FIG. 9, the protrusion 2 c and the tongue piece 3 e function tolock the lid 1 in the fully opened state.

Also, during the open movement, the flexing of the tongue piece 3 eserves to soften the impact of the contact between the protrusion 2 cand the tongue 3 e. As a result, sound of the lid 1 (arm 2R) strikingagainst the case 3A when the lid 1 reaches the fully opened position canbe reduced and the lid 1 can be stopped in a more controlled manner whenit reaches the fully opened position. Additionally, since the lid 1 islocked as just described when it is in the fully opened state, the lid 1can be prevented from rattling or otherwise emitting abnormal noise dueto vibrations of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the lid 1 has two arms 2L and 2R that are swingablysupported on both sides of the casing unit 3A. The casing unit 3A has apair of recessed areas for receiving the two arms 2L and 2R,respectively. At least one of the two arms 2L and 2R (2R in thisembodiment) has the protrusion 2 c configured and arranged to touchagainst the casing unit 3 when the lid 1 is fully opened, and the casingunit 3A has an elastically flexible tongue piece 3 e provided at theportion thereof where the protrusion 2 c touches when the lid 1 is fullyopened. As a result, the sound of the lid 1 striking against the casingunit 3A when the lid 1 is opened to the fully opened position can besoftened and the lid 1 can be made to stop in a more controlled mannerwhen it is moved to the fully opened position.

As can be confirmed by comparing FIG. 10 to FIG. 7, this embodiment isnot provided with a spring serving as a means of applying a forceagainst the lid 1. As a result, the vehicle cabin interior storage casecan be assembled even more easily.

General Interpretation of Terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiment(s), the following directional terms “forward, rearward,above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well asany other similar directional terms refer to those directions of avehicle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms,as utilized to describe-the present invention should be interpretedrelative to a vehicle equipped with the present invention. The terms ofdegree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as usedherein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term suchthat the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A storage structure comprising: a lid support; and a lid coupled tothe lid support to selectively move between a fully opened state and afully closed state about a swing axis, the lid including a first portiondisposed on a first side of the swing axis when the lid is in the fullyclosed state relative to the lid support and a second portion disposedon a second side of the swing axis when in the lid is in the fullyclosed state relative to the lid support, the lid having a center ofgravity located on the first portion of the lid such that swingingmovement of the lid to the fully opened state occurs due to a weightdistribution of the lid itself relative to the swing axis.
 2. Thestorage structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion islocated at a far side of the swing axis and the second portion of thelid is located at near side of the swing axis.
 3. The storage structureas recited in claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the lid ispositioned higher than the swing axis when the lid is in the fullyclosed state relative to the lid support.
 4. The storage structure asrecited in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the lid includes areinforcing structure disposed in a region located on the first side ofthe swing axis when the lid is in the fully closed state.
 5. The storagestructure as recited in claim 4, wherein the reinforcing structurecomprises at least one rib.
 6. The storage case as recited in claim 1,wherein the first portion of the lid is thicker in a vicinity of thecenter of gravity of the lid than other portions of the lid that arespaced from the center of gravity of the lid.
 7. The storage structureas recited in claim 1, further comprising a stopper made of an elasticmaterial arranged to support the lid at a fully opened position; and abuffer member arranged to contact the lid before the lid reaches thefully opened position when the lid is opened and to dampen the movementof the lid as the lid swings toward the fully opened position.
 8. Thestorage structure as recited in claim 7, wherein the buffer memberincludes a foamed body.
 9. The storage structure as recited in claim 1,further comprising a force applying device arranged to apply a forceagainst the lid in an opening direction.
 10. The storage structure asrecited in claim 9, wherein the force applying device is configured andarranged to apply a force against the lid in the opening direction whenthe lid is positioned within a swinging range of movement that spansfrom the fully closed position to a prescribed opening positionoccurring before the fully opened position.
 11. The storage structure asrecited in claim 1, wherein the lid support includes a recessed storagesection defining an access opening and an arm receiving opening formedin the recessed storage section; and the lid includes an arm swingablysupported to the lid support with the arm being configured and arrangedto extend into the recessed storage section through the arm receivingopening of the lid support, the arm having a blocking piece configuredand arranged to cover a portion of the arm receiving opening that isexposed through the access opening when the lid is in the fully openedposition.
 12. The storage structure as recited in claim 1, wherein thelid support includes a tongue piece; and the lid includes a protrusionconfigured and arranged to contact and elastically flex the tongue pieceof the lid support when the lid is being opened.
 13. The storagestructure as recited in claim 1, wherein the lid support and the lidinclude mating locking arrangements that are configured and arranged tohold the lid in the fully closed state.
 14. A storage structurecomprising: storage means for forming a storage area of an article; andcovering means for selectively covering an access opening of the storagemeans by selectively swinging between a fully opened state and a fullyclosed state about a swing axis in which the covering means has a centerof gravity located on a portion on a far side of the swing axis when thecovering means is in the fully closed state such that swinging movementof the covering means to the fully opened state occurs due to a weightdistribution of the covering means itself relative to the swing axis.15. A lid opening method for a storage structure comprising: providing astorage area of an article; providing a lid for covering an accessopening of the storage area; and selectively swinging the lid from afully opened state to a fully closed state about a swing axis in whichthe closing means has a center of gravity located on a portion of thelid on a far side of the swing axis when the lid is in the fully closedstate such that swinging movement of the lid to the fully opened stateoccurs due to a weight distribution of the lid itself relative to theswing axis.